Community Newsletter: Q&A: MacBook or PC laptop for college?

Here we go again

Ok, This thread is not about sub $600 laptops. The Original poster claimed to have a budget of $1500. That easily will get you a good Windows based laptop or any of the Macbook line of Apple laptops(MacbookPro is a different line) . Apple does not make bargain PC's. Apple does not compete in that market, period. If you are looking for a sub $600 laptop then bypass Apple all together because they have nothing to offer you. That doesn't make apple suck it just means they only sell high end computers that compete part for part with higher end offerings from Dell, HP Sony etc. Many times when pricing an equivalent you will find Apple +- $100 of the competition. It is unfair to compare a sub $600 PC with the lowest end Apple laptop. Pardon the pun, but you need to compare apples to apples.

My point was exactly what you wrote in your post. You are buying old slow technology. You are buying a computer that has a very limited shelflife and no resale value. Sure it runs things but runs them slowly. If your time is valuable then that is a HUGE thing. Typically a High End Windows based PC or Apple product will retain value. Apple products in particular do very well in retaining value, simply check ebay or craigslist.

As far as software. I have yet to find a piece of software that does not have a mac equivelant. Maybe there is not as much choice but do I really need to choose between 40 different programs just to edit my MP3 tags? Now sure there are custom apps that companies or even friends have written that are windows only, in that case if you chose to go Mac you can always run windows on your mac. If you need to spend more then %50 of your time in windows then you shouldn't get a mac. Thats just common sense. But the majority of programs that average user needs are available in both platforms. I just dont see the "Software" issues valid anymore, maybe 10 years ago but not today.

I have been called an Apple fanboy on the thread and to that I say "sticks and stones". In every post I make it clear, Buy what is within your means. If $600 is your budget you can get a great Windows based laptop that will serve most of your needs. I don't own Apple stock or Apple laptop or even an iPod. I own, and use daily,a dell 9400 Laptop, its awesome and a workhorse. I have never declared my love for Apple or Steve Jobs. I have only pointed out misconceptions and misinformation that people have about Macs, especially the people that remember Mac from the old days. Most of the Apple haters have never even used a modern mac. I Absolutely agree, in the past software, price, support and proprietary hardware were all major issues with Macs. I, until recently, was a very vocal anti Mac person. Being in the computer field many come to me for purchasing advice and I used to steer them clear of Macs altogether. I purchased an iMac for the home in October of 07, It happens to be the best computer (in terms of stability and ease of use) that I have ever owned. If I come across fanboy its because using a stable, quality product has made me one.